The Northern Jets were caught napping early but recovered from a three-goal deficit against Barellan to keep their bid for finals on track with a convincing 14.11 (95) to 9.10 (64) win.
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While CSU’s win against Temora didn’t help the sixth-placed Jets, a loss in the derby at Barellan would’ve been disastrous.
“Obviously it keeps us in the hunt for fifth spot, the battle with CSU,” Jets coach Mitch Robinson said.
“They come out firing, Barellan, and we’d spoken about that during the week – about them being on a high after their win over The Rock, and that our start was really important.
“And they’ve come out and kicked the first three goals so our backs were up against the wall straight away but to our boys’ credit, we dug in and we come back in at quarter-time in front.”
The Jets, led by Chris Bell in the midfield, were able to get their running game going and turn a one-goal lead at the first break into four at half-time and six goals by the final change.
“Chris Bell, since Mitch Haddrill went down, Belly has really stood up in the midfield. Before that, he was playing on a forward flank but he’s really put his hand up through the middle there, and taken ownership of that position.”
Robinson was disappointed with lapses late in the last three quarters and says that will have to change if they are to stop making a bid for the top five and actually move into it.
Shannon Charlie kicked four goals playing up forward and swapping on the ball while Jack Fisher was also good. Josh Avis went off late in the second quarter with another hamstring complaint and the Jets preferred not to risk him going back on.
James McCabe (three goals) had a good game up forward for Barellan and Sean Ellis was continually dangerous, particularly when he went forward (including two goals).
The Two Blues are at home again next week, where they could do the Jets a favour if they can spring an upset against the Bushpigs.
The Jets know they’ll have to improve if they’re to spring a surprise against ladder leaders North Wagga.
“Obviously it’s a massive challenge for us next week,” Robinson said. “We’re going to go in as underdogs but in nearly every game in this second half of the season we’ve been underdogs so we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“We know they’ve got some quality players and they’re playing good footy but we’ll just go out there, try our hardest and we might mix things up a little bit.”
